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(No Model.)

G. W. BROWN.

SAFETY HOD ELEVATOR.

Patehted June 13, 1882.

N. FEIERS, Fhnlo-Limognphcr. Wnhimglon DJ;

lJNrTED STATES ATENT l GEORGE W. BROYVN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SAFETY HOD-ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 259,473, dated June 13,1882.

Application filed June 9, 1881' (N0 model.)

To all whom, it may concern:.

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BROWN, of the city of New York, in thecounty and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and usefulImprovements in Safety Hod-Elevators, of which thevfollowing is aspecification.

My invention relates to elevating hods by means of an endless flexiblechain or rope dadder continuously revolving upon and around two suitablepulleys located respectively at the top and the bottom of a building incourse of construction. This method has an element of safety lackingnecessarily in platform elevators alternately raised and lowered, sincethe ladder is always in view and workmen cannot get under it. Theendless chain ladders now known to the art and in common use areimpracticable in the high buildings now usual in large cities, since thegreat length of ladder demanded is too heavy to be easily handled atsuch height, and when hung and loaded with hods sags or bellies, owingto the manner of attaching the hod.

It is the object of my invention to obviate these objections by animproved construction of the ladder itself and an improved manner ormethod of attaching the hod. The scope of my inventionincludes theapplication of steampower, thereby increasing the working capacity ofthe ladder to meet the present demand. These objects are attained by themechanism and in the manner illustrated by the accompanying drawings,wherein- Figure 1 represents a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a sideelevation, of my improved safety bod-elevator, similar letters ofreference indicating corresponding parts throughout the views. Figs. 3and 4 are detailed sectional views. 1

B B is a base frame supporting on opposite sides pairs of uprights A A.Between these uprights slide suitable castings, O G, bearing boxes forthe shaft E, carrying the drivingpulleys F F, having teeth engaging thelinks of the chains, and the spur-wheel G. Gonnected and sliding withone of these castings is a second similar casting, D, having armscarrying boxes bearing the endless screw or worm H, gearing with thespur-wheel G. This whole driving-gear is suspended in and by the endlesschains by the pulleys F F, thereby becoming self-adj usting to theperpendicular, and adding its weight to increase the tension of thechains and compensate for accidental loosening, whereby the teeth of thedriving-pulleys become disengaged from the links. Any additional tensionneeded can be given by the set-screws I I. The chains pass upward andaround the plain flanged pulleys O 0 upon the shaft N, supported at thedesired height by the frames M M.

The chain is constructed, as detailed in Fig. 4, of wrought linkspivoted or bolted together to secure flexibility. Hitherto it has beencustomary to form the rounds of the ladder by continuing the boltsacross between the-chains at. everyi'oot. Roundssoconstructedandlocatedare liableto bend or break under the weightof the loaded hods,andthenumber and sizeofsuch rounds greatly increase the weight of the chainper foot, and as now constructed and operated such number and sizeisnecessary. Otherwise the slow movement of hand-power would consume toomuch time in waiting for succeeding rounds if one were missed, andlighter rounds consequentlymore dangerous. To obviate thesedisadvantages I use arectangular steel bar, I), the greater strength ofthis material and shape permitting theuse vwith safety of a much lighterround than formerly with a hole drilled in each end, and, instead of theordinary link, a special one, J, made with an ear, 0. This link can bemade of cast-iron, or rendered malleable, 0r punched from wroughtiron,and the ear afterward heated and bent. A cast link can be safely used,since the wrought link by its side gives ample strength, and the cost ofmanufacture thus reduced. The steel bar is bolted to the ear of thislink by an ordinary bolt and nut. Such construction will allowsufficient compensatory movement in the case of one chain advancing onits companion from-the periphery of its driving-pulley enlarging withaccumulated mortar or dirt,and does away with any cutting into orrecessin g the links to seat the bar, thereby weakening the link, andpermits the chains and rounds to be separated for easy and economicaltransportation. These bars are to be so located relative to the hod tobe supported that while one supports the hod-bowl the next supports thelower part of the hod handle or shank, and will thus be about-threefeetapart. This location of the rounds allows the hod to be taken offwithout hitting its bowl or load against the next upper round or thehodshank thereon, thereby overthrowing the load, and also allowssufficient open space wherein the laborer can surely and safely adjustthe round. This position places great strain on the hod-handle andoccasions the weight of the loaded hod to pull away from the line ofascent and belly the ladder, and when a series of loaded hods are beingelevated this bellying is correspondingly increased, and thereby thetension, without a corresponding increase in the traction, and thus agreater expenditure of power is necessitated without more work done. Toobviate these difficulties I let into the bottom of the hod-bowl asuitablenotch,a, fitted to afford the hodaseat on the round near theline of the center of gravity of its load. I prefer to line this notchwith metal to prevent wear, and made sufficiently broad to give the hoda firm seat onthe bar and prevent lateral oscillation. As shown, theincline of the notch is toward the open end of thehod-bowl, whichfacilitates seating it on the bar and does not necessitate lifting toremove it, and is sufiiclent to enable the hod to retain its seat.Thelower part, L, of the hod-shank reaches and rests against the nextlower bar. The hod is thus hung perpendicularly and in the line ofascent, and therefore no saggingor bellying of theladder is occasioned,and, moreover, strain upon the hod-handle is removed. To attach the hodto the ascending ladder, thelaborer approaches with a loaded hod on hisshoulder and shanks or rests it on the bottom end of its shank in frontof the line of ascent, then leans the bowl between the passing roundsuntil an ascending round engages the notch and carries the bowl upwarduntil its shank swings and rests against the next lower round. The hodis thus easily, safely, and firmly attached and held. \Vhen the desiredheight is reached another laborer approaches and takes the hod ofi ontohis shoulder, the peculiar construction of the notch facilitatingthismovement, and carries it to its destination.

In applying steam-power I use an endless screw or worm, H, gearing withthe spur-wheel G, to communicate motion to the shaft E, carrying thedriving-pulleys F F. This gearing transmits the power from thesteam-engine with the diminished rate of speed at which it is desirableand necessary to run the ladder, and also holds the ladder in place incase of accident, thus forming an automatic safety-stop. Motion iscommunicated to the endless screw by the chain-wheel P, receiving itsmotive power from the engine by a chain belt.

Having thus fully and sufticiently described my invention, I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1a A hod-elevating laddercomposed of parallel endless chains connected with rounds, constructedand aftixcd substantially as specifled.

2. A hod-elevating ladder composed of parallel endless chains connectedwith rounds, as described, and so located that one shall support the hodby its bowl and the next lower one afford a resting-place for its shankat the lower part thereof.

3. An endless hod-elevating ladder combined with a detachable hod havinga notch in the bottom of the hod-bowl, near the middle of its length andthe line of the center of gravity of the load, and suited to afiord aseat for the hod-bowl on a round of the ladder.

4.. Ahod-elevating apparatus combined with and operated by worm-gearingand connecting mechanism.

5. Anendless hod-elevatingladder combined with motive mechanismsuspended therein and thereby, substantially as described.

GEO. W. BROWN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. BROWN, Jr HENRY L. VAN CLEAF.

